Sense > News > Sutton’s first Apprenticeship Hub launches to match local talent with local businesses

Sutton’s first Apprenticeship Hub launches to match local talent with local businesses

An interactive website designed specifically to match local young talent with businesses in the London borough of Sutton has been launched.

The Sutton Apprenticeship Hub – at http://getaheadsutton.org – is a new interactive website designed and managed by apprentices to help match the supply and demand of apprenticeship opportunities in the borough. It aims to create a minimum of 100 new employment opportunities with local businesses and for apprentices in the next 12 months.

The Hub is funded by Sutton Council’s economic development arm Opportunity Sutton in a three-year campaign to further improve prospects for residents and businesses in the borough.

The Sutton Apprenticeship Hub is a straight-talking, accessible resource for young people and their parents, educators and local businesses, giving them everything they need to understand the benefits of starting or offering an apprenticeship and the career prospects involved.

Managed by four marketing and management apprentices, the Hub brings to life the reality of apprenticeships, with fresh content such as regular blogs and case studies of local apprentices and businesses that benefit from offering apprenticeships.

The Sutton Apprenticeship Hub was officially launched at a reception in Metro Bank on the High Street on Wednesday 4 November.

Cllr Jayne McCoy, Chair of the Housing, Economy and Business Committee at Sutton Council, said:

“Sutton is a hotbed of talented young people coming from our fantastic schools and colleges. Apprentices are great for business and great for the future prospects of our residents.

“By matching business with apprentices through the Sutton Apprenticeship Hub, we can set young people on the track to a new career as an alternative to the university route. Businesses should come forward and register on the website if they are interested in building a committed, skilled and dedicated workforce.”

The Hub has been created by Sutton’s award-winning publicity agency Sense for Opportunity Sutton.

Harry Middleton, Account Executive at Sense, who is a former apprentice, said:

“I made a decision to go straight into work when I could have just as easily gone to university. What attracted me was that you get straight on the career ladder, and earn from day one.

“It’s been an exciting project to launch Sutton’s Apprenticeship Hub, giving all local school leavers the chance to understand the benefits of apprenticeships over other further education options.”

A digital and offline marketing campaign is being rolled out to raise awareness of the hub amongst all Sutton businesses, schools and colleges, and young people.

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For more information, images, or to arrange an interview, please contact Alana Caldwell at Sense on 0203 551 3954 or email info@getaheadsutton.org

Notes to editor

A consultation group including local business owners, school leavers, teachers and apprentices was consulted at every stage of the Hub’s creation, to ensure it meets the requirements and expectations of all parties. For example, the hub team is contactable via phone, SMS or WhatsApp, to appeal to young people and remove any potential barriers to making initial contact.

The Hub speaks to each different audience separately, answering the common questions about apprenticeships in a tone of voice they recognise and appreciate. All local stakeholders will be invited to submit fresh and interesting apprenticeship-related content, which can be published via the hub blog.